Pretrial Conference
The Pretrial Conference is the opportunity for the
defendant, his attorney, the prosecutor and the judge
to meet and discuss whether the case is going to be
settled or whether it is going to Trial.
If the case is going to Trial, the judge will want to know
the number of witnesses and the amount of time that
will be needed on the docket. Note that a defendant
does not have to inform the Court if he intends to
testify himself.
If the defendant intends to enter a guilty plea, the
Pretrial Conference is often the time where this plea is
entered. Depending on the charge, the defendant
may enter a written guilty plea at the time of the
Pretrial Conference. Otherwise, the hearing will be
before the judge.
Sometimes, even with a plea agreement and a written
guilty plea, the judge must set a separate Sentencing
Hearing.
If no agreement can be reached, and the defendant is
not willing to enter a guilty plea, the case can be set
for Trial.
Mark Thompson, Attorney at Law
220 Lafayette Street
Suite 120
Iowa City, IA 52240
ph: (319) 354-1630
fax: (319) 887-2537
mark@thompsonjustice.com
The information contained in this website is not intended to be legal
advice. With any criminal matter, you should seek the advice of a
lawyer practicing in criminal defense.
Copyright, Mark Thompson, Attorney at Law, All Rights Reserved.
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defendant, his attorney, the prosecutor and the judge
to meet and discuss whether the case is going to be
settled or whether it is going to Trial.
If the case is going to Trial, the judge will want to know
the number of witnesses and the amount of time that
will be needed on the docket. Note that a defendant
does not have to inform the Court if he intends to
testify himself.
If the defendant intends to enter a guilty plea, the
Pretrial Conference is often the time where this plea is
entered. Depending on the charge, the defendant
may enter a written guilty plea at the time of the
Pretrial Conference. Otherwise, the hearing will be
before the judge.
Sometimes, even with a plea agreement and a written
guilty plea, the judge must set a separate Sentencing
Hearing.
If no agreement can be reached, and the defendant is
not willing to enter a guilty plea, the case can be set
for Trial.
Mark Thompson, Attorney at Law
220 Lafayette Street
Suite 120
Iowa City, IA 52240
ph: (319) 354-1630
fax: (319) 887-2537
mark@thompsonjustice.com
The information contained in this website is not intended to be legal
advice. With any criminal matter, you should seek the advice of a
lawyer practicing in criminal defense.
Copyright, Mark Thompson, Attorney at Law, All Rights Reserved.
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